WISCONSIN RAPIDS - A man who thought his house was on fire drove to a fire station and pulled an alarm to get firefighters' attention.

Wisconsin Rapids firefighters at Station 1, 1511 12th St. S, didn't know what was happening when the station's fire alarm went off at 2:54 a.m. Monday, Fire Capt. Bob Barteck said. Firefighters got up, searched the station and found a man in the entryway.

The 91-year-old man said his home was on fire in the 600 block of 17th Street but did not say whether it was 17th Street north or south or provide any other details, Barteck said.

Police helped firefighters determine the home was on the south side of the city. When they arrived, firefighters found the man in his driveway, and he had soot around his nostrils. The man said he had tried to call 911 but got a busy signal, so he decided to drive to the Fire Department. He didn't see the emergency phone at the station's front entry, Barteck said.

Firefighters discovered smoke coming from an oil furnace in the basement, so they turned off the furnace and aired out the home. Smoke caused damage in the basement, and the furnace needs repairs, Barteck said.

The man was taken to Aspirus Riverview Hospital to be treated for smoke inhalation where he was listed in good condition Monday.

Wood County Communications Center Manager Lori Heideman said Solarus checked the man's phone on Monday and found that the battery had melted causing the man's inabilty to call 911.